Niamh Ní Dhomhnaill: Rape survivors' counselling notes should not be weaponised

The potential roll back of proposals to ban the use of sexual assault victims’ counselling notes in court is of major concern to survivors and activists

Niamh Ni Dhomhnaill: 'I am one of a growing minority who have accessed an outcome through the criminal justice system. I received, perhaps in some people’s eyes, justice via a custodial sentence, albeit through waiving anonymity, public outrage, and an appeal.' File picture: Collins Courts

I write this piece from two perspectives — as someone with personal experience of sexual violence and whose therapy notes were requested in the legal process, and now as a clinical psychologist working in mental health.

I am one of a growing minority who have accessed an outcome through the criminal justice system. I received, perhaps in some people’s eyes, justice via a custodial sentence, albeit through waiving anonymity, public outrage, and an appeal.